Jub Jub agitated as verdict looms

One of the two survivors of the Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye and Themba Tshabalala alleged drag race has been forced to flee his home as judgment day draws closer for the two accused.

Frank Mlambo (20) of Protea Glen has been in hiding “for a while”, according to a relative. “He is being hounded by the press. They are being disrespectful, hounding him all the time. His mother decided to take him away from the situation,” said the relative.

Reports have said Mlambo, who would have been in his first year of university, has been left with the mind of a two-year-old.

Four other teenage boys were killed when Maarohanye and Tshabalala allegedly ploughed their Mini Coopers into them on Mdlalose Street in Protea North in March 2010. Along with Mlambo, Fumani Mushwana was also critically injured.

On Wednesday, Magistrate Brian Nemavhidi began reading his judgment as the case finally came to a close. The final verdict will be heard on Tuesday.

In court, the usual protests and heckling aimed at the accused were replaced by quiet tension. The accused are charged with reckless driving, murder, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and failing to assess the victims’ injuries. They have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

A fidgety Maarohanye sat with his head down, constantly touching his face and rubbing his hands over his designer cornrows.

His co-accused and now frenemy Tshabalala, on the other hand, showed no emotion. He stared attentively at the magistrate, not once flinching as Nemavhidi read out gory details from witness testimonies. A family member of one the victims commented inside court: “He (Maarohanye) will now stop wearing designer suits and start wearing orange (prison) overalls.”

When rain interrupted Thursday’s proceedings, the crowd inside grew restless, muttering “they must enjoy the rain as it will be their last time”.

Maarohanye’s father and sister were present but his mother Jackie, who has also had her fair share of court dates, was absent.